Chunky start in the morning...

[Larry D]

So, you say, the petcock was replaced.....by you ? Or did you find out the the previous owner replaced it ?

Regardless if the petcock is new, that's great !! Now, for the next step.

Dip and rebuild your carbs with new o-rings from cycleorings.com and using this guide.

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

After that, get a new valve cover gasket and adjust your valves, using this guide.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/16valve_adjustment.pdf

After these basic maintenence items are done, you'll have a great baseline to get the carbs tuned in and will be riding in style.

EDIT: You don't need shims. Steve gets his 8 and 16 valve engines confused sometimes.......Your (our) bikes have a tappet screw adjustment for the valves. Loosen a nut, adjust the screw until it's in spec and tighten the nut back down. I highly recommend getting tappet feeler gauges for this task, much easier to use than the standard straight feeler gauges.

 

[Steve]

EDIT: You don't need shims. Steve gets his 8 and 16 valve engines confused sometimes.......

So true, so true. I saw the "750L" and did not notice that it was an '81.

HOWEVER, the intent remains the same ... ADJUST THE VALVES.



(Thanks for the correction, Larry.)
.

 

[Larry D]

So true, so true. I saw the "750L" and did not notice that it was an '81.

HOWEVER, the intent remains the same ... ADJUST THE VALVES.



.

+1

Adjusting the valves is like giving candy to a kid.....they love it !!

 

[2wheelN00B]

Ok

Ok

I replaced the petcock.

Replace Plugs (?)
Rebuild Carbs
Adjust Valves ( where would I get a tappet feeler gauge? )

I should probably suck it up and do it now eh? I was waiting for winter, but it seems it can't wait that long.

 

[Larry D]

You probably should go ahead and do it now......depending on where you are, there's not much summer left anyway.

I forget where I got my tappet feeler gauge. Just google it. An auto supply place around you may have them, but, none around me did. I know I ordered them online somewhere. It's only one gauge, not a set of gauges. Make sure you get the one that falls within the spec of the needed valve adjustment.

Make sense ???

EDIT:: Here you go....

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produ...Main&catId=&productId=p28376&leafCatId=&mmyId=

 

[DanTheMan]

A good, large Sears store also has tappet feeler gauges in their tools section. Oh yeah, don't use starting fluid unless you'd like to fry a piston for lunch. The instant heat of ether combustion is very bad for your engine that the ether does.

 

[Larry D]

Oh.... I forgot. Because of the way the valves are, you can adjust two at the same time. Don't quote me...but, for example, you could adjust #1 intake valve at the same time do #3 exhaust valve. Not sure if that's the sequence, just using it as an example.

So, if you have a helper.....I'd get Dad.....do two at once. In which case, you're going to need two identical tappet feeler gauges.

It's not a requirement to do two at once but it makes the job go a little faster.

 

[2wheelN00B]

Larry,

I will look into this.

Dan,

Thx.

Will keep updated. Hopefully soon.

 

[fenderfreek]

My local AutoZone has the big thing of tappet gauges for like $6 or something. I paid $4 I think for the single tappet gauge I needed from Z1, so it's your call. You really only need the one, but for an extra couple bucks you might can get a whole set.

The whole thing might take you a good 2-3 hours the first time as you try to learn everything, but when I do it again, I know it will take no more than an hour. It's a very simple process once you get it down the first time. Also, get a valve adjuster tool - I did mine without one and that's probably what took most of my time. It'll be worth every penny next time around.

 

[Steve]

Actually, you will want to get two tappets gauges anyway. Since you have two valves that are actuated by one lobe on the cam, the rocker is forked to reach the two valves. I have heard that it is best to have feelers under both of them and adjust them both at the same time to make sure the rocker is not cocking sideways, affecting your measurements.

.

 

[2wheelN00B]

Ok, so I need a tappet feeler guage (x2) that are 0.004-0.005in, because the manual says that's what my valve clearances are (cold).

Such as on this page:
http://www.speedsupplies.com/accessorylistingdetailpurch.asp?item=8272

 

[2wheelN00B]

Progress...

Progress...

Head gasket replaced. Valves adjusted (there were a few that were significantly out-of-spec

Frame/swingarm/triple tree are getting a pro paint-job (hopefully done this week). Redone in gloss black. Gas tank will eventually get gloss black/w artwork of some kind.

Replacing ignition coils, new OEM sidecovers, tach/speedo ornaments. Various new cushions/nuts.

Carbs stripped, dipped and soon to be rebuilt. I'm giving myself to the end of March to get this baby running again. Still gotta get new Intake carb boots. Mine are pretty stiff. Should make it easier to get the carbs back than they were to get out?Unrealistic? Yes. Motivating? Yes.

Spark plugs in cylinders 1 and 4 were charred black.

Can anyone recommend different handlebars? I like the pullback but I'd like to ditch the buckhorns. My knurls 4" center to center.